Trustpilot
Show More

Ask an Expert

How do car insurance companies know who is at fault?

When a car insurance claim is made off the back of an accident, the blame game begins between insurers. Working out who is at fault in these situations is far more than establishing the moral high ground.

The conclusions have financial ramifications for the providers, as the one whose customer is at fault needs to payout. You, the policyholder could also be affected, especially if you only have third-party insurance, as an at-fault claim against you will mean the damage to your vehicle is going to come out of your pocket. 

While it might seem obvious who was at fault for a collision directly after, for two companies picking up the pieces, it’s not so simple. So how do they do it?

Generally speaking, liability will be decided by evidence provided by the policyholders. This can include photos of the aftermath, written accounts, and eyewitness testimonies from third parties. Where this is not enough, an insurer might turn to other forms of evidence, such as CCTV that may have caught the accident.

This to and fro could go on for some time between providers until one of them accepts the blame. If neither party is willing to do this, then there are two outcomes:

The first is that the claim is split 50/50 with both insurers stumping up the funds. If this isn’t an option, then it could go to court. This is fairly rare however as having to take cases before a judge is an incredibly expensive and time-intensive process. Unless there are huge amounts of money at stake, say in the case of personal injury, it probably won’t get to that stage.

If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s important that you gather the following from the scene:

  • A photo of the collision/damage

  • The other vehicle's registration number

  • The other driver's insurance details

*51% of consumers could save £518.14 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next five cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from June 2025 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.

Related guides

Taking Your Driving Test in Your Own Car

If you’ve been practising for your driving test in your own car, or the car of a close friend or family member, you may be wondering if you can use it for your driving test. While your driving instructor will have a car for you to use, slight differences could throw you off in a high-stress environment, causing you to make mistakes you wouldn’t ordinarily. But is it possible to use your own car for your driving test? This blog will walk you through the process, so that you can feel as comfortable as possible on the day of your test.

Getting an Eyesight Test for Driving

When it comes to driving, being able to see with clarity is essential for the safety of you and those around you. If your eyesight is not up to the legal standard, then you shouldn’t be on the road. It’s not only your vision that you need to consider though - it’s also how quickly you react to hazards and changing conditions, as nobody wants to have an accident that could have been prevented. As you get older, the importance of this only becomes more apparent, as your eyesight can worsen and your reactions can slow down. No matter your age, you should be getting your eyesight tested regularly, especially if you notice a difference in your vision or how your eyes feel. As there are so many risks involved with driving, being able to see clearly is essential for you to qualify legally to drive. Of course, you can wear visual aids, such as glasses or contact lenses. If you need these to see, then you should always have them on when you’re behind the wheel. In this article, we’re going to explore why you need to get an eye test for driving, how to go about it, and thelegal requirements you must take into consideration in the UK.

Can I Put My Child on My Car Insurance Policy?

Your child has just passed their driving test and is eager to hit the roads on their own. As a parent, you’ll likely be apprehensive, concerned about their safety and the high cost of insurance cover for young drivers. In some cases, it makes sense to add your child to your car insurance policy, making them a named driver with rights to operate your vehicle.But doing so can increase your premiums and, if your child is involved in an accident, wreck your no claims bonus. You also must make sure you’re still driving the vehicle more than your child to avoid committing insurance fraud.Here's how to navigate car insurance for the growing number of drivers in your family.